St. Mary the Virgin, Bletchingley

September 12, 2014

St. Mary the Virgin, Bletchingley

A lovely church in the centre of this Surrey village. There is a nice clear sign outside which tells all comers that this church is open every day. Some friendly people were tidying up the already neat churchyard as I arrived. An equally friendly lady was doing flowers and spoke with pride of her church. This is a church which is very well cared for – inside and out. The welcome that people give who are around the church doing various tasks is important. If I had been looking to move here I would have been impressed by my welcome.

There is a good guide and New Daylight Bible notes as well as a booklet on the gargoyles here to borrow. There is a World War 1 folder in the chancel detailing the village’s casualties in that conflict. This is becoming common and is very welcome.Also a folder on the churchyard and it’s care and one on the church memorials. Only 2 people had signed the visitors book during August but this is probably a church which gets a lot of locals coming in.

There is a prayer request box to use as well as a votive stand – also a pebble pool which I have come across before. Each pebble represents a prayer. However, this good idea was rather lost by not being labelled as to what to do. The church website – http://www.bletchingleyparishchurch.org.uk/welcome.htm does explain this (and gives some other good visitor information and a video tour). There are some remains of a ‘Hermit’s cell’ which are highlighted. I rate St. Mary the Virgin as good for the purposes of this study.